LUCKY TREASURE shifted out at the start and inconvenienced EL VALIENTE. RUN RUN GOOD shifted out on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of SPEED FORCE (M F Poon) which became unbalanced and then raced tight inside SINCERE BOY. After the race, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to ensure that SPEED FORCE raced with cover. He said when RUN RUN GOOD shifted out at the start and then held its position in the early stages, he steadied his mount to obtain a position behind that horse so as to ensure that SPEED FORCE was able to obtain cover. From wide barriers, HEROIC CHAMPION and THE ELITES were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LUCKY TREASURE travelled wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres whilst WONDERFUL FANTASY travelled wide and mostly without cover until approaching the 800 Metres. After the 500 Metres, RUN DES RUN and SPEED FORCE raced tight when SPEED FORCE shifted to the outside of WONDERFUL FANTASY as RUN DES RUN improved around that horse. The performances of LUCKY TREASURE and WONDERFUL FANTASY, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY TREASURE and WONDERFUL FANTASY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY TREASURE and WONDERFUL FANTASY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, K Teetan stated that after being instructed to steady his mount from a wide barrier to obtain cover, CROWN AVENUE got too far out of its ground in the middle stages despite being ridden along to obtain a position closer to the main body of the field. He said whilst CROWN AVENUE finished off the race satisfactorily, the horse had too much to do as a result of getting out of its ground. A veterinary inspection of CROWN AVENUE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EVEN KEEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EL VALIENTE and RUN DES RUN were sent for sampling.

NICHOLSON RETURNS got its head up on jumping and then lost further ground when crowded for room between CIRCUIT SPLENDOR and SCIENCE PATCH, both of which shifted ground. After this, SCIENCE PATCH was steadied to obtain cover. COMMON ROOM and BOYS PARTY bumped on jumping. COUNTRY BOY was crowded for room on jumping between FANTASY and GOLDEN EMPIRE which shifted in. After this, from wide barriers, GOLDEN EMPIRE and COUNTRY BOY were steadied to obtain cover. For a considerable distance in the early and middle stages, CIRCUIT SPLENDOR proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when initially racing awkwardly behind PACKING AWARD after the 1000 Metres and then behind BOYS PARTY for some distance after the 800 Metres. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, NATURAL GOLD raced close to the heels of STREET SCREAM, shifted out and raced tight inside TRUST ME. Approaching the 800 Metres, TRUST ME raced close to the heels of CIRCUIT SPLENDOR when that horse was travelling keenly and being checked away from the heels of BOYS PARTY. TRUST ME had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, STREET SCREAM lay in and was reluctant to improve into tight running between PACKING AWARD and BOYS PARTY. SCIENCE PATCH was held up for clear running until approaching the 250 Metres at which time the horse shifted out and bumped NICHOLSON RETURNS. SCIENCE PATCH was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of FANTASY until passing the 200 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, STREET SCREAM shifted out and bumped BOYS PARTY. Passing the 150 Metres, TRUST ME was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOLDEN EMPIRE which shifted in under pressure. Throughout the race, FANTASY travelled wide and without cover and for the majority of the race COMMON ROOM also travelled wide and without cover. After the race, it was noted that NATURAL GOLD had blood at the left nostril. A veterinary examination of NATURAL GOLD found that horse to have sustained a small cut to the left nostril with no blood being found in the trachea. Accordingly, NATURAL GOLD was not deemed to have bled. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT SPLENDOR immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CIRCUIT SPLENDOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of COMMON ROOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN EMPIRE and STREET SCREAM were sent for sampling.

COURAGEOUS KNIGHT began only fairly and then shortly after the start was bumped by APACHE PASS which shifted out after stumbling on jumping. ALL JOYFUL, BEST FOR YOU and CHIRON were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, ASIAN ONE was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT momentarily raced in restricted room between APACHE PASS which shifted out and AMAZING TEENS which shifted in before being directed out abruptly to relieve the crowding to COURAGEOUS KNIGHT. After this, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT travelled wide and without cover. After the 1300 Metres, APACHE PASS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMAZING TEENS. Near the 250 Metres, WINMORE STAR (R Maia), which was shifting out away from the heels of AMAZING TEENS in an attempt to obtain clear running, clipped the heels of AMAZING TEENS and stumbled as that horse shifted out away from the heels of STEEL WIN. R Maia stated that when easing WINMORE STAR down after passing the winning post, the horse did not feel comfortable in its action and because of this he dismounted from WINMORE STAR. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that WINMORE STAR was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, WINMORE STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Over about the final 200 Metres, ALL JOYFUL was held up for clear running and because of this was not able to be tested. Near the 50 Metres, AMAZING TEENS was shifted out away from ALL JOYFUL as that horse was racing tight inside AMAZING TEENS. This resulted in AMAZING TEENS having to be eased away from behind WINMORE STAR. When questioned regarding the performance of APACHE PASS in today’s race compared to its only previous start over the course and distance on 13 November 2021, Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of APACHE PASS, stated that APACHE PASS is a horse which has generally trialed well on the All Weather surface and down in class today, he expected the horse to perform well. He said at its only other start on the surface APACHE PASS had to be ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position and as the horse was second up for the season on that occasion, its condition gave out which resulted in it weakening out of the race in the Straight. He said a combination of APACHE PASS’ fitness improving since that run together with the benefit of the dropping grade had allowed the horse to finish off the race better today than it was able to on that occasion. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING TEENS, ALL JOYFUL and CHIRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALL JOYFUL, APACHE PASS and SUN OF MAKFI were sent for sampling.

MIGHTY VALOR began very awkwardly, got its head up on a number of occasions and then shifted out, resulting in KUMASI being crowded for room inside ANGELS HUNTER which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by KUMASI. WAR OF COURAGE shifted out at the start and bumped LIGHTNING BOLT which then shifted out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WILD WEST WING. LIGHTNING BOLT was then steadied to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, THE HULK was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. KUMASI was held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 250 Metres. When being shifted to the outside of SPEEDY MOUSE approaching the 200 Metres, KUMASI was shifted out away from the heels of that horse as SPEEDY MOUSE shifted out away from the heels of WILD WEST WING. KUMASI was again held up for clear running passing the 100 Metres. QUADRUPLE DOUBLE was unable to obtain clear running from on entering the Straight until near the 250 Metres. SPEEDY MOUSE was held up for clear running from on straightening until approaching the 100 Metres. Because of this, SPEEDY MOUSE was not able to be properly tested. LIGHTNING BOLT had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then was held up when unable to obtain clear running from approaching the 200 Metres until near the 100 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, ANGELS HUNTER was shifted out away from the heels of LIGHTNING BOLT to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, WILD WEST WING travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position on SUPER FORTUNE from the outside barrier and lead the race if possible. He said if SUPER FORTUNE was unable to lead, then it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position behind the speed. He said after being loaded into the barriers, SUPER FORTUNE was fractious and turned its head to the left on a number of occasions. He said as the start was effected, SUPER FORTUNE again turned its head to the left which resulted in the horse beginning awkwardly and losing ground. He said he believed that to ride his mount forward after the horse did not begin well would have resulted in him having to make too much use of SUPER FORTUNE and he therefore elected to steady his mount in the early stages and obtain cover. He said SUPER FORTUNE, which was racing over 1200 Metres and around a turn for the first time today, lay out making the first turn near the 900 Metres, however, then travelled well behind WAR OF COURAGE in the middle stages. He added that he shifted SUPER FORTUNE to the outside of that horse rounding the Home Turn and when asked SUPER FORTUNE quickened nicely in the early part of the Straight to reach the lead after the 300 Metres. He said it was only over the concluding stages that SUPER FORTUNE’s run ended and he believed that in the circumstances SUPER FORTUNE had performed well in today’s race. LIGHTNING BOLT, THE HULK and WAR OF COURAGE were sent for sampling.

HAPPY LAND began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of EN POINTE. On jumping, STAR CONTACT shifted in and brushed EN POINTE. STAR CONTACT then shifted out and bumped WIN WIN which was being steadied to obtain cover. JOYFUL GENIUS and SNOWALOT bumped on jumping. After this, SNOWALOT was steadied to obtain cover. Trainer P O’Sullivan reported that he instructed C Y Ho, the rider of SNOWALOT, to steady his mount in the early stages and obtain cover as the horse has not been finishing its recent races off when being ridden towards the lead. ROYAL AGILITY, which was fractious in the barriers, began only fairly. ROYAL AGILITY was then momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHINING RED when being ridden along to obtain a forward position shortly after the start. SHINING RED, from a wide barrier, was then steadied in the early stages. After obtaining a forward position, ROYAL AGILITY travelled wide and without cover throughout. BLAZING SUN was also steadied in the early stages from a wide barrier to obtain cover. Approaching the 1000 Metres, BLAZING SUN was bumped by SNOWALOT which shifted out. Passing the 900 Metres, DRAGON BABY commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind G ONE EXCELLENT. JOYFUL GENIUS travelled keenly in the middle stages and shifted out after the 800 Metres, resulting in SNOWALOT being taken wider and without cover. DRAGON BABY was held up for clear running from rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight until near the 300 Metres. DRAGON BABY then had some difficulty obtaining clear running over about the final 100 Metres and over the concluding stages raced tight with FLYING SWORD after improving into tight running to the outside of STAR CONTACT. At the 400 Metres, STAR CONTACT shifted in towards the heels of CIRCUIT ELITE. STAR CONTACT was then shifted out away from the heels of CIRCUIT ELITE and after the 400 Metres bumped ROYAL AGILITY which in turn shifted out and brushed EN POINTE. FLYING SWORD, which was following STAR CONTACT, was hampered in consequence. Passing the 300 Metres, HAPPY LAND was checked away from the heels of ROYAL AGILITY which was commencing to give ground. After this, SHINING RED was shifted out away from the heels of ROYAL AGILITY when that horse shifted ground when continuing to give ground. Near the 50 Metres, JOYFUL GENIUS was awkwardly placed behind CHEERFUL LEADER due to both horses shifting ground. After the race, it was reported that HAPPY LAND had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of SNOWALOT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EN POINTE and CHEERFUL LEADER were sent for sampling.

RING BELLS began awkwardly and then was crowded for room on jumping between LOTUS FAVORITES and PRINCE OF BON BON which shifted out. BIG BROOK shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of LEADING FORTUNE. After this, BIG BROOK was steadied to obtain cover. GENERAL WINNER began awkwardly and travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. From wide barriers, WONDER YEARS and RIGHT AS RAIN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After travelling a short distance, LOTUS FAVORITES became badly unbalanced and was checked when crowded for room between RING BELLS which shifted out marginally and MR ALDAN which was taken in by BOOM STITCH (C Y Ho). In this incident, both RING BELLS and MR ALDAN became unbalanced as LOTUS FAVORITES was checked. C Y Ho was reprimanded and told that in the opinion of the Stewards he should have reacted quicken than he did on this occasion to BOOM STITCH shifting ground. For some distance in the early stages, NEW FUTURE travelled keenly and was very awkwardly placed behind TURQUOISE ALPHA. After the race, K Teetan stated that as NEW FUTURE travelled too keenly in a race which was run at a moderate tempo, the horse was then not able to finish the race off in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of NEW FUTURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Near the 450 Metres, RING BELLS was bumped on the hindquarters by TURQUOISE ALPHA (Z Purton) which attempted to improve into tight running between that horse and PRINCE OF BON BON as PRINCE OF BON BON shifted out marginally. This resulted in both RING BELLS and TURQUOISE ALPHA becoming badly unbalanced and TURQUOISE ALPHA shifting in and being checked away from the heels of PRINCE OF BON BON. Z Purton was reprimanded and told that whilst the Stewards accepted there was some movement at this time principally from PRINCE OF BON BON laying out, nonetheless the run between RING BELLS and PRINCE OF BON BON had not eventuated and irrespective of the shift from PRINCE OF BON BON, TURQUOISE ALPHA would have been required to make some contact with RING BELLS. He was further told to exercise more care than he did on this occasion when shifting ground in future. Approaching the 300 Metres, BOOM STITCH raced tight inside LEADING FORTUNE. Approaching and passing the 100 Metres, TURQUOISE ALPHA was shifted in away from the heels of GENERAL WINNER (H Bentley) which shifted in under pressure before being corrected by its rider. H Bentley was advised to ensure that he straightens his mounts at the earliest opportunity in similar circumstances. After the race, A Badel stated that RING BELLS was left flat-footed approaching the 600 Metres when the tempo of the race commenced to increase. He said RING BELLS came off the bridle and was not able to gather momentum and because of this did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of RING BELLS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, TURQUOISE ALPHA was not suited by the moderate tempo of the race which did not afford the horse the opportunity to finish off the race strongly. A veterinary inspection of TURQUOISE ALPHA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GENERAL WINNER, WONDER YEARS and PRINCE OF BON BON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TURQUOISE ALPHA, CORDYCEPS TWO and LEADING FORTUNE were sent for sampling.

RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE began only fairly. CROSSFORD lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between KING’S CAPITAL and ROMANTIC COMBO which shifted out. ALL FOR ST PAUL’S shifted in at the start and bumped ENJOYING. After this, ENJOYING was steadied and shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, RIGHT HONOURABLE was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. In the early stages, KING’S CAPITAL travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover. TURIN REDSTAR was badly held up for clear running from passing the 400 Metres until after the 250 Metres. RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXCEPTIONAL NICE rounding the Home Turn and then near the 300 Metres was directed to the inside of EXCEPTIONAL NICE to obtain clear running. Near the 50 Metres, ALL FOR ST PAUL’S raced tight outside EXCEPTIONAL RACE which shifted out under pressure. SKYEY SUPREME lost its right front plate during the race. After the race, H T Mo expressed concern regarding the action of MAGNIFICENT over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of MAGNIFICENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, MAGNIFICENT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, J Moreira stated that he was not able to offer any explanation for the manner in which SKYEY SUPREME weakened out of the race in the Straight. He said the horse travelled well in the lead, however, after being placed under pressure did not respond to his riding and then failed to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of SKYEY SUPREME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, M F Poon (ALL FOR ST PAUL’S) stated that it was felt that today’s race would be run at a good tempo as there were a number of on-speed runners engaged, he said he was asked to allow ALL FOR ST PAUL’S to gradually improve in the early stages to obtain a forward position and it was hoped that ALL FOR ST PAUL’S would be able to travel outside the anticipated leader of the race SKYEY SUPREME. He said he was instructed not to ride his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position as ALL FOR ST PAUL’S would not be able to finish the race off if use were made of the horse in the early stages in a race that was to be run at a good tempo. He said in accordance with his instructions he began positively on ALL FOR ST PAUL’S from barrier 12 and after being crossed by SKYEY SUPREME, he gradually allowed his mount to improve into a forward position. He said near the 1300 Metres as he was improving around CHANCHENG PRINCE with a view to shifting to the outside of SKYEY SUPREME, CHANCHENG PRINCE, which was travelling strongly, was allowed to improve its position inside ALL FOR ST PAUL’S. He said as he would have had to ride ALL FOR ST PAUL’S vigorously to clear CHANCHENG PRINCE at this time, he allowed that horse to improve its position to race outside the lead and attempted to obtain cover near the 1200 Metres. He said however that MAGNIFICENT and EXCEPTIONAL NICE maintained their positions to the inside of ALL FOR ST PAUL’S which resulted in that horse travelling wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of TURIN REDSTAR and CROSSFORD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHANCHENG PRINCE, ROMANTIC COMBO and KING’S CAPITAL were sent for sampling.

FABULOUSIO was crowded for room on jumping between CAPTAIN WIN and WIN WIN FIGHTER which shifted out. In this incident, FABULOUSIO bumped the hindquarters of CAPTAIN WIN which became unbalanced. STORM LEGEND, HELENE NORTH STAR and LOOKING GREAT were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. FABULOUSIO travelled keenly after the 1400 Metres. For some distance in the early and middle stages, HELENE NORTH STAR over-raced and approaching the 1000 Metres was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of EZRA. After the 1100 Metres, RISE BRETHREN was awkwardly placed behind CAPTAIN WIN. GAMEPLAYER TIMES got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. At the entrance to the Straight, GAMEPLAYER TIMES and FABULOUSIO bumped, causing both horses to become unbalanced. FABULOUSIO then shifted out, resulting in CAPTAIN WIN, which was following FABULOUSIO, being checked away from the heels of that horse, shifting out and in doing so bumping EZRA and taking that horse wider. Then passing the 300 Metres, GAMEPLAYER TIMES again got its head on the side and shifted out away from SIGHT SPIRIT, causing FABULOUSIO to shift out away from the heels of GAMEPLAYER TIMES. In the early part of the Straight, SUPER OASIS was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. In the Straight, SIGHT SPIRIT lay out and shifted ground on a number of occasions. Throughout the race, EZRA travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if SOULMATE had been afforded a fair start. Subsequently K H Chan, the rider of SOULMATE, and Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of that horse, made application for SOULMATE to be declared a non-runner. After taking evidence from all parties which included Mr A Speechley, Starter, and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that as the start was effected SOULMATE, which was being assisted by a starting gate handler, reared, resulting in the horse losing a significant amount of ground. As the Stewards formed the opinion that SOULMATE had reared of its own accord and that the starting gate handler did not prevent the horse from beginning with the field, they ruled that SOULMATE had been afforded a fair start and accordingly, the horse was deemed to be a runner. Before being allowed to race again, SOULMATE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. A veterinary inspection of SOULMATE and EZRA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIGHT SPIRIT and CAPTAIN WIN were sent for sampling.

IGNITING began only fairly. TRILLION WIN and GOOD LUCK FRIEND bumped on jumping. From wide barriers, FANTASTIC WAY and WIND N GRASS were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1150 Metres, RED DESERT raced tight inside WINNING DREAMER which got its head on the side and shifted in away from CALIFORNIA SPANGLE. After initially being ridden along to obtain a forward position in the early stages, VALIANT DREAM was steadied after the 1100 Metres to obtain cover when racing very wide. Making the turn approaching the 900 Metres, GOOD LUCK FRIEND raced tight between WINNING DREAMER and CALIFORNIA RAD which got its head on the side and lay in before being shifted out to relieve the tightening to GOOD LUCK FRIEND. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, IGNITING got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of TRILLION WIN. IGNITING then shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of VALIANT DREAM near the 850 Metres. Passing the 800 Metres, FANTASTIC WAY, which was racing in a three wide position outside IGNITING, was steadied and directed across behind that horse to improve ground inside IGNITING. FANTASTIC WAY had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 300 Metres was directed out away from the heels of CALIFORNIA RAD to obtain clear running. GOOD LUCK FRIEND lay out under pressure approaching and passing the 300 Metres. WIND N GRASS had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres. TRILLION WIN had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 200 Metres. Throughout the race, SPARKLING DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and TRILLION WIN were sent for sampling.

MASTER HERO was withdrawn on 13.1.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (laceration to left hind leg). Before being allowed to race again, MASTER HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, BEAUTY SPIRIT lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. ROMANTIC WARRIOR shifted out on jumping and brushed MR ASCENDENCY. ALL BEAUTY shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in NATURAL STORM being bumped and becoming unbalanced. After this, from wide barriers, both ALL BEAUTY and NATURAL STORM were steadied to obtain cover. For some distance after the 1200 Metres, HARMONY WIN WIN commenced to travel keenly when being steadied to race outside the lead. ALL BEAUTY made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly. ROMANTIC WARRIOR and LUCKY WITH YOU were sent for sampling.